What made the Whites put an end to Apartheid in South Africa?

How white supremacy and apartheid ended

'Whites' did NOT stop Apartheid. It was due to multiple factors. Firstly, International pressure played a critical role due to the economic sanctions they imposed on South Africa. President de Klerk and other moderate white Ministers in government were instrumental in starting negotiations for change to majority rule, starting with a shared leadership between Mr Mandela and President de Klerk. Moreover the continuing violence at home was now causing disinvestment as the atmosphere was no longer condusive for business, thus the withdrawal of foreign investors. The collapse of the Communist Socialist Soviet Republic also contributed. The American government withdrew military aid to the South African government as the african resistance was no longer percieved as Communist inspired. The influence of the 'Father Figure', ex President Nelson Mandela (fondly known by all South Africans as MADIBA), can never go unmentioned. His very existence inspired all those who were fighting for the end of Apartheid - white and blacks side by side. The assigning of power to the moderate President de Klerk supporters to power was the final phase as he was prepared to negotiate with Nelson Mandela and his party the African National Congress. Total power was handed over to the ANC after the first ever Free & Fair elections held in 1994. The ANC won a majority of seats in government.

It is a misconception that the ANC Government are not inspired by Socialist leanings. They are very much so to this day. I lived there for 33 years and the whites in the street suffered just as cruelly under British sanctions as all the other races & tribes who make up this incredible country, which is being driven into the ground by government greed, corruption and extreme violence. Johannesburg is known as ''The crime capitol of the world.'' The country now has a Black on Black Apartheid system in place, due to tribal hatred between the Xhosas and the Zulus. I can only hope and pray that someday soon the powers that be will see the error of their ways, and not end up like Zimbabwe. (Pronounced: ZIMBABWEH not ZIMBABWAY!).

First answer by Lomas. Last edit by Aperegrine. Contributor trust: 0 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 41 [recommend question]